Latimo's Psychedelicatessen

Montag, Juli 31, 2006

Keith Christmas - 1970 - Fable of the Wings (British Folk Rock) His name's Keith Christmas, a truly master of melancholy British folk rock. This is his second and to me best album alongside Pigmy which is his fourth. Here's an almost proper review by Richie Unterberger: "While Keith Christmas' second album was an improvement over his debut, there was still the sense that it was a stretch of his talents to fill an entire record with decent material. In its favor, it had some nicely integrated, varied arrangements that show more imagination than many other British folk-rock recordings of the early '70s: the jazzy piano-dominated vamp of "Waiting for the Wind to Rise," the lovely female backup harmonies on "The Fawn," the languid tempo of "Lorri," the gothic organ of "Kent Lullaby," the Mellotron-acoustic guitar-piano combination of "Hamlin," the rapid whirl of acoustic guitar picking on "Fable of the Wings." About half of the songs were mighty pretty, particularly "Hamlin" and the delicate "The Fawn." Christmas was good at establishing an attractively melancholy musical setting, but his rambling lyrics just couldn't hold up their part of the weight, and he was given to tracks that went on and on for way too long before fading, particularly on "Waiting for the Wind to Rise. I don't agree with him here ;-)"

Mittwoch, Juli 26, 2006

Quiet Sun - 1975 - Mainstream (Progressive Rock - Canterbury Scene) Mainstream was an album that almost never was. Quiet Sun was originally formed in 1970, while our protagonists were studying at London’s Dulwich College. The band had a repertoire of original music they wrote and rehearsed over their two-year existence, only to cease when the band split up in ’72 – seeing most notably Manzanera joining Roxy Music, and MacCormick Matching Mole. Fast-forward three years; after recording four successful albums with Roxy, Manzanera begins work on his first solo album, Diamond Head, which includes a number of songs originally written with Quiet Sun. As the original lineup were all participating in the Diamond Head sessions, the band decided to put the original Quiet Sun pieces to tape. Recorded at Island Studios during the early morning hours of January and February of 1975, Mainstream was feverishly put to tape during the remaining four hours of twelve booked for the Diamond Head recordings.

As one can imagine with the time constraints, the album was somewhat rushed, although not to the detriment of the music. With many pieces recorded in one take, the immediacy presented is a big part of the charm of the album. Soaring guitar leads rip over a landscape peppered with bursts of piano and powered by thunderous bass and propulsive percussion that is the opening of “Sol Caliente”. Jarrett’s minimalist and almost mathematical playing recalls John Cale’s piano work with the Velvet Underground. Manzanera unleashes ferocious leads with abandon, while the rest of the group deftly handles breakneck, calculated rhythms. And this is truly a group effort, belaying a wealth of influences and styles, congealing into a sublime bastardization of Canterbury and Krautrock where subtle jazzy complexities come face to face with ferocious rhythmic jamming that Can would be proud of. The psychedelic influences cover both the fuzzed out British end as well as the cosmic German one. “R.F.D.” encompasses both the otherworldly meditative qualities of Popol Vuh and the plaintive electric piano melodies of Hatfield ballad. And who could ignore the Dadaist humour of titles like: “Trumpets With Motherhood” and “Mummy Was an Asteroid, Daddy Was a Small Non-stick Kitchen Utensil” that are uniquely Canterbury.

What at first can seem like meandering jams slowly reveals itself to be a top-notch record, with subtle nuances and clever constructions evolving over time. While shying away from the pop song structures of Roxy Music, the influence is felt never the less, as the songs are far from devoid of catchy riffs and passages. The ubiquitous Eno also makes a guest appearance, contributing synth parts and oddball effects and treatments to the production. A pop song even rears its head, with Heywayrd’s quirky delivery obtusely intersecting the instrumental sections of “Rongwrong”. Jarrett’s piano phrasing also lends a unique charm to this wistful song, and a fitting end to the album. - Mike Prete [October 2002] link

Dienstag, Juli 25, 2006

Tim Hollier - 1968 - Message To A HarlequinTim Hollier was one of the most unfairly neglected of folk-based artists to come out of late-'60s England, his brand of trippy, quietly elegant psychedelic folk-rock deserving an infinitely wider hearing than it got -- not that he ultimately did badly in music, but he deserved better earlier. Born in Brighton in 1947, Hollier was raised in West Cumberland, and at age 13 formed his first group, the Meteors, with a group of friends from school. He attended art college and played as part of a folk duo called the Sovereigns in the mid-'60s. He later moved to London to study graphic design, and got involved in the folk scene there, seeing some limited success as an opening act for such well-known figures as blues songstress Jo Ann Kelly and visiting American Paul Simon.

An introduction to Simon Napier-Bell -- a music figure best remembered today as the man who inherited the Yardbirds' management from Giorgio Gomelsky -- got Hollier to the next phase of his career, a proper recording contract. Napier-Bell got Hollier signed with United Artists Records' U.K. division, a much more adventurous outfit than its American parent company. Where the latter was still relying on soundtracks and recording Jay & the Americans, the U.K. United Artists outfit was downright experimental, cutting psychedelic sides by Del Shannon; it wouldn't be long before they'd sign up Brinsley Schwarz and the Flamin' Groovies. It was at UA that Hollier recorded his first album, Message to a Harlequin, in mid-1968; released in October of that year, it was a tremendous showcase for Hollier's excellent voice and challenging, psychedelic-flavored songs, elaborately produced and reminiscent in many ways of the first two albums by Duncan Browne. (answers)

i decided to create a new blog where german bands (not only krautrock bands) will be posted. So i moved all German albums i posted here to my new blog >>> krautrockgermanrock.blogspot.comThat doesn't mean that i'm not continuing with this blog. However, no German bands will appear here anymore.Furthermore, i would like to thank you for your nice and very kind :) comments. Was really glad to read em. I am also very grateful for your support, as goes for Pat or my friend Jero but also for the rest of you.Concluding i want to give you the address of a new brother, check out their blog (two bloggers) as soon as possible. They're not sure about a name of their blog but posted some very interesting music already. Here's the address: ourpsychblog.blogspot.com

Montag, Juli 24, 2006

Dark - 1969-71 - Teenage AngstThe first tracks on this album were recorded by Dark in 71, just before their legendary LP as the band entered its peak period. Tracks 6-11 were taped by the original line-up in 69 & 70, when they were still at school. Quality of these early tracks is poor, but demand dictates their release.

Dienstag, Juli 18, 2006

Mellow Candle - 1972 - Swaddling Songs The band's history dates back to 1963 when the students Clodagh Simonds and Alison O'Donnell founded the group The Gatecrashers at their school in Dublin. Later they changed the name to Mellow Candle. The band recorded two singles, the former called "Feeling High" and the latter "Tea With The Sun". However, those two didn't catch on. In 1970 Alison O'Donnell got to know David Williams, a South African guitarist, who would later become her husband and who had been studying in Ireland when both got to know each other. He joined the group. Some time later bass player Pat Morris followed. In 1971 the band had diverse gigs in clubs and on festivals. A talent scout of Decca discovered Mellow Candle and invited them to a demo in London. The demo was successful and in April 1971 they signed a record contract. Even before the recordings for their first - and only one which would become clear later - started, it came to two changes on the line-up of the group. Pat Morris was replaced by Frank Boylan and William Murray, hailing from from Glasgow, joined as their drummer and was also a new member. Even though there had been good reviews neither single "Silver Song/Dan The Wing" nor their album "Swaddling Songs" didn't meet with success, seen from a commercial point of view. A few gigs followed but in 1973 Mellow Candle already disbanded. Their LP and both singles belong to the most sought after rarities of the FOLK ROCK genre today. However, there have been several reissues on CD or LP. The couple Alison and David Williams later emigrated to South Africa later. In 1978 they released the LP "Whistling Jigs To The Moon" under the name "Flibbertigibbet".

Freitag, Juli 14, 2006

The Fallen Angels second LP (a.k.a The roulette masters vol.2)

The second LP is one of the ultimate examples of the East Coast psych sound; moody, intricate, with a peculiar intensity. A long time favorite of late 60s collectors and no wonder as it has the makings of a masterpiece. Hard to pinpoint really, but some parts are like a high-brow Common People, others like a folkrock Mandrake Memorial. Arrangements and songwriting are most impressive, with "A Horn Playing On My Thin Wall" being a personal favorite. Often compared to the equally rare Morning Dew LP but this is deeper and more original. The Sgt Pepper of DC, though of course much better! A German original pressing exists. (lysergia)

Tracks

1 Poor Old Man 3:412 A Horn Playing on My Thin Wall 4:253 Something You Can Hide In 3:594 Tell Me a Story :225 Silent Garden 1:546 Look to the Sun 3:467 One of the Few Ones Left 2:508 I Really Love My Mother 1:079 Look at the Wind 4:0410 Didn't I 2:5511 It's a Long Way Down 2:4512 I'll Drive You from My Mind 4:19

Mittwoch, Juli 05, 2006

Changes - 1969-74 - Fire Of Life (Dark US Psych Folk)This gem belongs to my top 10 dark folk albums and shouldn't be missed under any circumstances! Very soft and moving tunes, outstanding vocals which just perfectly match the guitar rhythm throughout. Wonderful ballads and lyrics, a true precious. This duo managed to record a very impressive album by using few instruments. They deserve our recognition!So look at them closely while listening to this album (they're on the back cover which is also included).

The Moths - 1969 - Heron's DaughterWhat you can see here is the reissue of the Kissing Spell Label. The original cover was in plain white! 10 wonderfully crafted folk songs are tracked on this album. The mood is desperate and dark, if you know Changes which I'm gonna post soon you might know what i mean. Personally i do like this gem a lot. Very appropiate for pensive or sad moments. Get it! It's definitely worth a spin! Should i mention that some blues has been put into this mainly folky album... ;)

Parameter - 1971 - Galactic RambleTwo weeks ago somebody requested this. This is underground acid folk released by the Kissing Spell Label. Mostly acoustic is played here and i would compare it to some Roky Erickson solo stuff. The vocals are somewhat too normal; and yet a few songs do sound great imo ("19. Galactic Ramble"), albeit not overwhelming or outstanding. I think this is going to appeal to folk lovers rather than psych heads. To me it does partly sound like some velvet underground beat which is probably because all songs are played in a sort of jam style. It's a nice find, check it out brothers and sisters!

Dienstag, Juli 04, 2006

White Noise - 1969 - An Electrical StormMindblowing album, one of my fave obscure albums! David Vorhaus produced one of the most influential albums for modern times. This is nothing for people with bad nerves...one of the most amazing synth were used here as well as freaky tunes and whispering or sobbing vocals along with merry-go-round sounds or liquid winds ("The Visitations"). Utterly amazing! You can easily imagine things when listening to this album. This is an extraordinary mix of weird reverbarating vocals, flowing or mindblowing effects as well as trippy synth handlings. Highly recommended!!!

The Free Design - 1967 - Kites Are Fun(256 kbit/s, 13 tracks, 72mb)To me this is a perfect mix of dreamy bubblepop and eastern-influenced music("when love is young" , "Stay another season"). I think you could well compare them with the Beatles. Well, that might be a bit too far fetched but Free Design's style really does resemble them albeit female vocals are used on Kites Are Fun. The tunes are very melodic and dreamy. This is a love trip throughout; the female vocals would fit perfectly folk imo. I'm pretty sure this album will appeal to Aerovons lovers...Here's a nice link and here is your

Clouds were one of the earliest progressive bands, who never receivedmuch recognition (despite, for example, having a radical reworking of"America" ages before Yes, and covering big-band jazz standards likeBig Noise From Winnetka).

Of course, I say this with more than a little prejudice, as my brotherBilly Ritchie was the keyboards player! (The other members were IanEllis (bass and most lead vocals) and Harry Hughes (drums)).

They released two albums in the UK, Scrapbook ('68) and WatercolourDays ('70) (approx. dates) A third album, Up Above Our Heads, wasreleased Stateside, containing stuff from Scrapbook plus new material.Scrapbook is (as the name suggests) a very mixed bag, with a widevariety of styles, from "nearly straight" songs through blues to the(for its time) unique multi-part opus "Waiter, there's something in mysoup". Watercolour Days was more consistent and darker in tone,tending to a bluesy kind of prog, with lots of "heavy Hammond".

My brother tells me that Beat Goes On Records are in the process ofputting out a single CD containing both Scrapbook and WatercolourDays; they approached him to write the liner notes and to sit in onthe remastering. Allegedly, the release date is July 1st, though thatsounds somewhat optimistic to me. The catalogue number assigned to thedisk is BGOCD 317.

Clearly, I can't claim independence of opinion in this case! but Ithought this might be of interest to folk here (well, I've seen atleast *one* query about them here :-)

To be honest, Scrapbook now sounds very dated, definitely a 60'sproduction. (Billy hopes that the remaster might improve things a lot- they were always disappointed with the vinyl sound, and apparentlythe studio master was very good). Watercolour Days also shows itsage, but to a lesser extent, and I think that the material stillstands up well.